The 2019 Little League State Championships kicked off with eight action-packed games at Knox Baseball Club. It was a beautiful day for baseball, with the sun shining and warm autumn temperatures setting the scene for a lovely morning and afternoon. Catch up with everything that happened with the results and recaps below.
Little League All Stars
Game 1 – Diamond 1 10:00am Eastern Athletics v Geelong Baycats 11 - 3
Eastern Athletics Jumps Out to Early Lead in Victory Over Geelong Baycats
Eastern Athletics defeated Geelong Baycats 11-3 thanks to a strong start. An RBI single from Will Kent and an RBI double by Aimon Dowling got the Athletics rolling in the first inning.
The Athletics added to their advantage with a four-run second inning, made possible by Zak Stafilis, Will Kent, and Aimon Dowling, who each had RBIs in the big inning. Although the Baycats were able to get two runs in the early innings, it wasn't enough as their pitching and defense struggled. The Mariners sealed the deal with an additional run in the third and three runs in the fifth inning.
Charles Chislett led things off on the hill for Eastern Athletics. He went one and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on one hit and striking out five.
Jordan Ellis toed the rubber for Geelong, covering one and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out two and walking one. Hunter Mann and Lachlan Hodge entered the game in relief, throwing two and a third innings and one inning respectively.
Eastern Athletics racked up nine hits, with Charles Chislett and Will Kent collecting two hits apiece in the game.
Riley Peoples went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Geelong Baycats in hits.
Game 2 – Diamond 2 10:00am Twins v Southern Mariners 3 - 10
Twins Can't Hold Up Against Southern Mariners
Twins had a tough time generating runs on Friday, dropping their first game against Southern Mariners with a seven-run deficit. The Mariners wasted no time, getting things started in the first inning and scoring on an error.
Nathan Rumbelow doubled on a 3-2 count in the bottom of the first inning to score one run, but it wasn't long before the Mariners pulled away for good with five runs in the second inning. The Mariners scored on an error, and 2-RBI doubles from both Liam Bald and Mitchell Langworthy.
Zach Dunkley led things off on the hill for Southern Mariners. He lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out five and walking one.
Alex Liersch led things off on the mound for Twins. He surrendered two runs on one hit over one and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking one. Devin Leahy, Lachlan Schumann, and Hudson Pallay each contributed in relief for Twins.
Although the Twins put two runs on in the last inning, they weren't able to catch up. The Twins had five hits in the game, with multiple hits for both Rumberlow and Timothy Thiel.
On the Southern Mariners side, Charlie Brookes went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the team in hits, while Samuel Walsh had six fielding plays and he and his teammates made no errors.
The Mariners will be feeling pretty confident ahead of their matchup against the Baycats to start things off on Saturday morning.
Game 3 – Diamond 1 1:00pm Geelong Baycats v Twins 4 - 26
- Geelong Baycats watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a big loss to Twins on Friday to round out Day 1 of the 2019 Little League State Championships.
- The Twins started their scoring early in the first inning, when Timothy Thiel singled on a 2-2 count to score one run.
- Two more runs in the second and a crazy 10-run third inning sealed the deal for the Twins. They kept their offense moving in the fourth when they tacked on 13 extra runs. Lachlan Schumann, William Hardy, Ethan Brownrigg, James McFarlane and Hudson Pallay all drove in runs for the Twins.
- Although Geelong notched four runs in the third inning, thanks to an offense led by Marshall McMahon, Riley Peoples and Xavier Dew, it just wasn't enough to make a big enough dent in their deficit.
- On the mound, Nathan Rumbelow looked good for the Twins, throwing two innings and giving up no walks, no hits and no runs while striking out five. He also hit two huge home runs for his team!
- Albie Scott had Geelong's only hit of the game, a single in the bottom of the third.
- The Twins saw the ball well today, racking up 22 hits in the game. Alex Liersch and James McFarlane each had four hits on the day. Another advantage for the Twins was their impressive defense, with no errors and clean fielding all around.
Little League Development
Game 1 – Diamond 3 9:30am Geelong Baycats v Eastern Athletics 8 - 20
Early Lead For Eastern Athletics Seals Fate For Geelong Baycats
The Baycats fell behind early and couldn't come back in a big loss to Eastern Athletics to begin the 2019 Little League State Championships.
The Athletics took the lead on a stolen base in the first inning, scoring two runs, and it was an offensive showcase from there, as they racked up 10 hits to the Baycats' two.
Consistent the whole way through, the Athletics added five runs in each of the game's four innings. Five just may be their lucky number!
The Baycats battled through, putting one run up in the first, two in the second and third and three in the fourth, but they couldn't catch up to the on-fire Athletics. Ruby Benne, Huga Turnely and Jack Northfield all drove in runs for Geelong in their final inning.
Harvey Arifovic had two hits on the day with a single and a double.
Caleb Johnston led things off on the hill for Eastern Athletics, lasting two-thirds of an inning, allowing zero hits and one run while striking out two. Tylah Laurie handled starting pitching duties for Geelong, throwing one-third of an inning with one hit, five runs and two strikeouts.
One key to the Athletics' success was their clean fielding, with no errors and some impressive displays of athleticism.
Game 2 - Diamond 5 9:30am Southern Mariners v Twins 6 - 7
Twins Wrangles Victory from Southern Mariners After Back-And-Forth Game
It was quite the see-saw affair, but the Twins eventually prevailed with a one-run victory.
Both pitching staffs had their hands full, frequently dealing with runners on base as each team had eight hits on the day.
Two runs scored started the game for the Mariners, but the Twins stepped up their game with a three-run first inning thanks to a hard-hit double from Cooper Bishop-Worn.
A quiet second inning led to two runs in the third for the Mariners and one for the Twins. By the bottom of the fourth, the Twins had tied up the game. The back-and-forth wasn't over, as the Mariners pulled ahead with two more runs in the fifth on a big single from Hunter Richardson. In the bottom frame, the Twins followed their lead with a 2-run triple from Ben Grady.
The Twins were thrilled to finally pull away with the victory, particularly on the heels of a solid start from Bishop-Worn who lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and two runs with four strikeouts.
Hunter Richardson toed the rubber for the Mariners, covering one and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out four and walking zero. Parker Schutt, Jarvis Johansen and Liam Hough filled in for relief.
Ben Grady went 2-for-3 to lead the Twins, while Jarvis Johansen went 4-for-4 and Hunter Richardson also had an excellent performance for the Southern Mariners.
Game 3 – Diamond 3 12:15pm Eastern Athletics v Southern Mariners 4 - 17
Mariners gain lead early and never let go
Thanks to a five-run first inning, Southern Mariners have defeated Eastern Athletics with a 13-run advantage.
The Mariners jumped on the board with five runs in the first, including a 2-RBI single from Hunter Richardson and a huge double by Sunny Fontana. Jackson Burton followed up with a two-run single, and Miller Leech doubled on a hard ground ball to left field.
In the next inning, the Mariners went on to add three runs on a wild pitch, error and another wild pitch. The third inning saw them rack up 12 runs, thanks in part to a three-run long bomb off the bat of Hunter Richardson. Matt Fielden also brought in four runs with three walks and a single.
The Mariners had 13 hits in total while holding the Athletics to just one.
Jake Bertucci had a strong showing on the mound for the Mariners, striking out seven batters and only allowing one run in his two-and-a-third innings.
Luke Hutton brought in three runs for Eastern Athletics, who will look to regroup and come out stronger in their game against Sunraysia.
Mariners meet Geelong Baycats tomorrow morning.
Mariners gain lead early and never let go
Thanks to a five-run first inning, Southern Mariners have defeated Eastern Athletics with a 13-run advantage.
The Mariners jumped on the board with five runs in the first, including a 2-RBI single from Hunter Richardson and a huge double by Sunny Fontana. Jackson Burton followed up with a two-run single, and Miller Leech doubled on a hard ground ball to left field.
In the next inning, the Mariners went on to add three runs on a wild pitch, error and another wild pitch. The third inning saw them rack up 12 runs, thanks in part to a three-run long bomb off the bat of Hunter Richardson. Matt Fielden also brought in four runs with three walks and a single.
The Mariners had 13 hits in total while holding the Athletics to just one.
Jake Bertucci had a strong showing on the mound for the Mariners, striking out seven batters and only allowing one run in his two-and-a-third innings.
Luke Hutton brought in three runs for Eastern Athletics, who will look to regroup and come out stronger in their game against Sunraysia.
Mariners meet Geelong Baycats tomorrow morning.
Game 4 – Diamond 5 12:15pm Twins v Sunraysia 19 - 1
Twins get early jump on Sunraysia
Twins have scored a staggering 13 runs in the first inning to dismantle Sunraysia and put the game away for good. They proved impossible to catch up with, working their way to a final score of 19 - 1.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for the Twins was an amazing grand slam by Brody Stokes, as he was greeted with cheers and celebrations from the crowd as he rounded the bases behind his teammates.
Sunraysia will look to improve tomorrow when they meet Eastern Athletics at 9:15AM for game two of the 2019 Little League State Championships. The Twins will try to carry their strength into their afternoon matchup with Geelong Baycats.
Twins get early jump on Sunraysia
Twins have scored a staggering 13 runs in the first inning to dismantle Sunraysia and put the game away for good. They proved impossible to catch up with, working their way to a final score of 19 - 1.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for the Twins was an amazing grand slam by Brody Stokes, as he was greeted with cheers and celebrations from the crowd as he rounded the bases behind his teammates.
Sunraysia will look to improve tomorrow when they meet Eastern Athletics at 9:15AM for game two of the 2019 Little League State Championships. The Twins will try to carry their strength into their afternoon matchup with Geelong Baycats.
Game 5 – Diamond 2 2:45pm Geelong Baycats v Sunraysia 9 - 13
Geelong Baycats got off to a good start drawing in the first run of the game, but a strong showing throughout the first two innings from Sunraysia ensured they won 13-9.
Baycats did well to get within what the final margin was after giving up eight runs to their one in the first two innings.
Sunraysia got on the board after an Oliver Hayes triple scored two runners who had been walked by Jack Morrow, even though the first pitches of those at-bats were looking strikes.
Oliver Hayes was the standout for the game, a home run away from the cycle and his three hits allowed five runs to be recorded. He also allowed zero hits in two innings on the mound with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Jack Morrow gave up nine walks in two innings and two hit by pitches which resulted in runs for Sunraysia. In the bottom of the second, Sunraysia batters hit three doubles in a row (from Matthew W, Oliver H and Diesel Fallon) to score five total runs.
Baycats finally appeared to be on a roll in the third inning where they recorded their four hits (of five for the game) and finished the dig with three runs crossing the plate. Again, it was the doubles that brought runs in, with Jack Northfield having a massive hit to boost his team.
Baycats unfortunately gave up the count four times which saw the inning suspended because of the five-run rule.
A perfect game in the field from each side resulted in no errors across the entire two inning game.
Geelong Baycats got off to a good start drawing in the first run of the game, but a strong showing throughout the first two innings from Sunraysia ensured they won 13-9.
Baycats did well to get within what the final margin was after giving up eight runs to their one in the first two innings.
Sunraysia got on the board after an Oliver Hayes triple scored two runners who had been walked by Jack Morrow, even though the first pitches of those at-bats were looking strikes.
Oliver Hayes was the standout for the game, a home run away from the cycle and his three hits allowed five runs to be recorded. He also allowed zero hits in two innings on the mound with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Jack Morrow gave up nine walks in two innings and two hit by pitches which resulted in runs for Sunraysia. In the bottom of the second, Sunraysia batters hit three doubles in a row (from Matthew W, Oliver H and Diesel Fallon) to score five total runs.
Baycats finally appeared to be on a roll in the third inning where they recorded their four hits (of five for the game) and finished the dig with three runs crossing the plate. Again, it was the doubles that brought runs in, with Jack Northfield having a massive hit to boost his team.
Baycats unfortunately gave up the count four times which saw the inning suspended because of the five-run rule.
A perfect game in the field from each side resulted in no errors across the entire two inning game.